Diabetes 101: Importance of Regular Blood Glucose Monitoring

Most of us are aware of diabetes and how much it affects the larger population most especially in the United States. The kind of lifestyle and diet we have in this modern times predisposes us greatly to the occurrence of diabetes. Self-testing of blood sugar levels is a crucial part of diabetes management. A blood sugar monitor or blood glucose monitor (BGM) helps in testing your blood glucose level at the time it is tested. Testing your blood sugar using an accurate and reliable BGM can give you a basis on how to manage your diabetes involving meal plan, medication, and exercise schedule. A blood glucose test is the foundation of diabetes treatment to help prevent complications to the eyes, kidneys, heart, brain, nerves, and skin.

Your doctor will help you in deciding when to obtain your blood glucose test and how to interpret the results. Blood glucose testing for patients with Type 2 diabetes is recommended before meals and before bedtime. Most of the food you eat will be digested one to two hours after meals which raises blood glucose, so in order to capture the peak blood sugar levels, it is best to test one to two hours after meals. According to the American Diabetes Association, the recommended blood glucose level is below 180mg/dl two hours after meals. For those with Type 1 diabetes, your doctor may recommend blood glucose testing 4 to 8 times a day. Blood glucose test for Type 1 diabetes is required before meals and snacks, before bed, before and after exercise, during the night, during illness, any change in daily routine, and before starting a new medication. Blood glucose monitoring should not be taken for granted by people who are diagnosed having Type I or Type Ii diabetes to prevent diabetes complications.

The target blood glucose levels for people age 60 years old and older should be between 100 to 140 mg/dL, and for those who are 59 years old and younger, between 80 to 120 mg/dL. Your doctor will set your target blood glucose test results based on your age, type of diabetes, length of diagnosed diabetes, pregnancy status, the presence of complications, and presence of other medical conditions. It is best to invest in high-quality blood glucose meters or blood glucose monitors in order to get accurate and reliable results. For more details about blood glucose meters, feel free to check our website or homepage now!